Grob gets statewide honor for volunteer water efforts

Minnesota Waters, the statewide non-profit dedicated to empowering citizens to protect and improve the lakes and rivers of Minnesota, announces its 2010 award winners, selected from nominations around the state.

Ken Grob of Park Rapids, member of the Potato Lake Association and Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations, is Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Barr Engineering.

Each year, Minnesota Waters presents these awards to honor citizen volunteers who have made exceptional commitments to protecting their local lake or river. Each winner will receive an honorary plaque, two tickets to RiverNight 2010, and $1,000 to continue their good work.

The awards will be presented at RiverNight 2010, Minnesota Waters' annual gathering of peers and water enthusiasts, aboard the historic showboat Centennial, docked at Harriet Island, St. Paul.

The nominations revealed an impressive and heartening number of water quality achievements made by citizen volunteers across the state, but the four award winners were notable for demonstrating success in collaborating with other individuals and groups.

"There is a best and brightest in every community - a diligent person or group who goes the extra mile and inspires others to support and enrich our state's water legacy," said Marian Bender, Executive Director of Minnesota Waters.

"The efforts of these individuals and organizations serve as a model for all who live by and take pleasure in our lakes and rivers. I congratulate them for their outstanding work to protect and enhance our state's greatest resource."